Key's ponytail-gate refusal under investigation

John Key's office is under investigation by the Chief Ombudsman for refusing to release correspondence with former gossip columnist Rachel Glucina in relation to the so-called ponytail-gate saga.

Labour supporter and Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board member Paul McMahon requested records of contact between the Prime Minister and Ms Glucina under the Official Information Act, but Mr Key's office declined.

He made a complaint to the Ombudsman in May, and Dame Beverley Wakem has now announced she will look into the situation, Fairfax Media reports.

Earlier this year, Auckland waitress Amanda Bailey wrote an anonymous blog post in which she detailed a number of occasions where Mr Key and his wife Bronagh would visit her place of work.

On multiple occasions, Mr Key pulled on her ponytail in what he said was "banter".

A subsequent story featuring Ms Bailey and her bosses, written by Ms Glucina, was published in the New Zealand Herald, however, Ms Bailey complained saying it was printed against her wishes.